Suture anchor implantation instrumentation system

ABSTRACT

A system for implanting an anchor into bone, the system comprising a curved cannulated guide for percutaneous insertion, having a proximal end and a distal end; a flexible drill insertable through the curved guide from the proximal end to the distal end, the flexible drill having a shaft having a flexible portion; and a flexible inserter for inserting a suture anchor into a bore at the anatomical site formed by the flexible drill, the flexible inserter having a shaft having a flexible portion, wherein the flexible portions of both the flexible drill and flexible inserter include a series of discrete, interlocking segments.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 12/821,504 filed on Jun. 23, 2010, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/460,310, filed on Jul. 16, 2009, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various shoulder injuries may result from dislocations, falling, throwing, or lifting. A common shoulder injury includes the separation of the glenoid labrum from the glenoid. For example, a Bankart lesion results from a labral tear that occurs in the anterioinferior region of the glenoid socket when the shoulder dislocates. A superior labral anterior posterior (SLAP) lesion typically occurs from throwing injuries, where the tear occurs at the superior region of the glenoid socket where the biceps tendon attaches to the shoulder. These injuries result in pain and instability of the shoulder joints.

Arthroscopic stabilization for surgical treatment of shoulder instability has grown in popularity over the past decade. In particular, labral anchors have been employed to repair torn labrum tissue. For example, a labral anchor may be inserted into the glenoid, and a suture material that is attached to the labral anchor is used to reattach the torn labral tissue to the glenoid.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention may include an apparatus adapted for use with a surgical cannula for inserting a suture anchor into an internal anatomical site may include a curved hollow guide for accessing an internal anatomical site, having a proximal end and a distal end; a flexible oburator insertable through the curved guide from the proximal end to the distal end; a flexible drill insertable through the curved guide from the proximal end to the distal end; and a flexible inserter for inserting a suture anchor into a bore at the anatomical site formed by the flexible drill, wherein the flexible drill and flexible inserter each may include a shaft having a flexible portion including a plurality of laser cuts. The shafts of the flexible drill and flexible inserter may further be substantially cannulated and may include a thickness between an outer surface and an inner surface. Furthermore, the plurality of laser cuts of at least one of the flexible portions of the flexible drill and flexible inserter may extend circumferentially around the outer surface of the shaft and may extend at least partially through the thickness of the shaft. Moreover, the plurality of laser cuts may extend completely through the thickness of the shaft of at least one of the flexible drill and flexible inserter, such that the flexible portions of the flexible drill and flexible inserter may be discrete, interlocking segments. Additionally, the shafts of the flexible drill and the flexible inserter may be constructed from a material comprising hypodermic tubing, polymer, or stainless steel.

In another embodiment, the present invention may be a system for implanting an anchor into bone, the system comprising a curved cannulated guide for percutaneous insertion, having a proximal end and a distal end, a flexible obturator insertable through the curved guide from the proximal end to the distal end, a flexible obturator insertable through the curved guide from the proximal end to the distal end, a flexible drill insertable through the curved guide from the proximal end to the distal end, and a flexible inserter for inserting a suture anchor into a bore at the anatomical site formed by the flexible drill.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention may be a system for implanting an anchor into bone, the system comprising a cannulated guide comprising a proximal end, a distal end positionable proximate a bone, and a curved shaft extending between the proximal and distal ends; a drill comprising a proximal end configured to receive torque, a distal rotary drilling head, and a shaft extending between the proximal end and the rotary drilling head, wherein the shaft comprises a flexible portion and permits passage of the rotary drilling head through the shaft of the cannulated guide; and wherein one of the drill and the cannulated guide comprises a stop feature shaped to interface with the other of the drill and the cannulated guide to adjustably control a maximum range of motion of the rotary drilling head through the cannulated guide.

In a further embodiment, the present invention may be a system for implanting an anchor into bone, the system comprising a curved cannulated guide for percutaneous insertion, having a proximal end and a distal end; a flexible drill insertable through the curved guide from the proximal end to the distal end, the flexible drill having a shaft having a flexible portion; and a flexible inserter for inserting a suture anchor into a bore at the anatomical site formed by the flexible drill, the flexible inserter having a shaft having a flexible portion, wherein the flexible portions of both the flexible drill and flexible inserter include a series of discrete, interlocking segments. The flexible portions may further include discrete, interlocking segments which may be constructed from a material such as hypodermic tubing, stainless steel, polymer, or the like. The discrete, interlocking segments may further be constructed from a solid, continuous length of material. These segments may also be constructed from the solid, continuous length of material by a laser cutting process, or the like.

The curved labrum instrumentation of the present invention will make the existing SLAP and Bankart surgical procedures, in particular, the 5 and 6 o'clock position repairs, easier to perform by making it possible to achieve anchor hole vectors that are much closer to perpendicular with the surfaces of the scapular glenoid rim. This improved insertion vector will lessen the probability of anchor back out and thereby improve the quality of the surgical repair.

The instrumentation system of the present invention includes, in one embodiment, four curved tubular guides and a straight tubular guide with each guide including a cannulated handle, a hollow shaft, and a parabolic-shaped distal end aperture. The curved guides may be provided at any angle between and including 0 and 90 degrees. For example, the curved guides of the system may have a curved angle of 12 or 25 degrees, in addition to the straight guide having no curved angle (i.e., 0 degrees). As to the curved guides, the parabolic-shaped distal aperture may have one of a standard or rotated orientation. A standard orientation may have the parabolic aperture aligned with the curve of the guide, while a rotated orientation may designate that the parabolic aperture is offset from the curve of the guide, for example, by 90 degrees. Of course, a parabolic aperture on a straight guide would not have an orientation as to a curved angle. The system also may include at least one obturator which is placed at the distal end of each guide with the obturator shaped as either a bullet or a trocar, or one of each may be included. A drill is provided for insertion through any of the guides for forming a pilot hole in the glenoid rim for receiving a suture anchor. The drill and the obturators may have flexible shafts allowing the tips to traverse the curved portions of the curved guides.

The handle portion of each guide may provide the user with a place to grasp the instrument during use and, in the case of using the drill, to provide a geometry that will prevent the user from drilling past a set drill depth. The guide handle is also cannulated to allow for the insertion of the flexible obturators, the flexible drill, and a flexible inserter for the suture anchor.

The shaft portion of the guides may incorporate a curve at the distal end that achieves about 0 to about 90 degrees of bend, and specifically about 0 to about 25 degrees of bend, over a linear shaft distance of, for example, 1-3 inches. The distal tip of the guide shafts may incorporate viewing windows that allow visual access to the drill and anchor inserter during surgical procedures and also has a “parabolic” design end aperture that is designed to physically mate with anatomical features of the glenoid to ensure proper and secure guide positioning. A laser mark may also be located adjacent the distal tip to provide an alignment feature to be used with laser marks on the drill and inserter for depth gauging purposes.

Flexible obturators may be provided which, in one embodiment, consist of a titanium handle, a flexible nitinol shaft, and a titanium tip. A rounded tip obturator utilizes a bullet-shaped tip, which functions to protect the seal of a cannula (if used), and/or surrounding tissue, from the “parabolic” shaped edges of the 0°, 12° and 25° guides during the insertion process of the guides into the joint space. A trocar tip obturator utilizes a trocar tip, which tip functions to puncture tissue during the insertion of any of the guides into the joint space during percutaneous surgical approaches. Both obturators are designed to be reusable instruments and to be compatible with any of the suture anchor guides.

A flexible drill may be provided which may consist of three sections; (1) a proximal shaft, (2) a central shaft, and (3) a drill tip. The proximal and central shafts may be of a continuous piece of material which is laser welded to the drill tip, or alternatively the three sections of this instrument may be separate and laser welded together, though other methods of attachment known in the art may be used. The proximal and central shaft portions consist of, for example machined hypodermic tubing and functions to allow the attachment of an orthopedic power drill driver to the proximal end and include geometry that allows the user to adjust the drilling depth. The center portion may, in one embodiment, incorporate a flexible laser cut feature near its distal end that allows the distal portion to flex without elastically or plastically deforming the material and thereby navigate the bend in the guide shaft. In a first embodiment, this may be accomplished via dovetail-shaped cuts which divide the tube into discrete yet interlocking segments. The drill tip consists of a drill bit made of machined rod stock and is designed to drill a hole of appropriate depth and diameter in the surface of the scapular glenoid rim for the purpose of inserting a suture anchor such as a Stryker 3.5 mm TwinLoop™ suture anchor.

A flexible suture anchor inserter may also be provided which may consist of a polymer handle over molded onto a flexible shaft assembly constructed of, for example, polymer and/or stainless steel. The shaft portion is capable of withstanding enough axial compression to allow the suture anchor to be inserted into the drilled pilot hole without buckling. The shaft is also flexible enough to facilitate anchor insertion through the curved guide. The distal end of the inserter may be rigid and substantially straight to remain straight as the anchor is maneuvered into the bore hole. In one example, the distal end is made of metal, such as stainless steel, or another equally rigid material. The shaft portion may be of solid construction which may be elastically bendable. Alternatively, the shaft portion may be of a construction similar to the shaft of the flexible drill, as discussed above, and may thus be constructed of interlocking segments which are formed in a similar fashion as the shaft of the flexible drill.

In a further embodiment, a method of performing a surgical technique may comprise inserting a curved hollow guide, and a flexible obturator positioned within the curved hollow guide, for accessing an internal anatomical site; removing the flexible obturator once the curved hollow guide is in place, inserting a flexible drill into the curved hollow guide; drilling a hole at the internal anatomical site; removing the flexible drill from the curved hollow guide; inserting a flexible inserter into the curved hollow guide having a suture anchor engaged to the distal end of the flexible inserter; inserting the suture anchor into the hole at the internal anatomical site; and removing the curved hollow guide and flexible inserter from the internal anatomical site. In an alternative embodiment, a cannula may be used through which the curved hollow guide may pass to reach the internal anatomical site.

The surgical techniques employed during the use of the instrumentation of the present invention are similar to those already used for SLAP and Bankart surgical repairs. The curved geometry of this instrumentation makes these surgical procedures easier to perform and more reliable and repeatable. Initially, in a first embodiment, a cannula, such as a Stryker Corp. 8 mm DriLok™ cannula, or any suitable cannula known in the art, may be placed in the shoulder in a standard fashion. Then an appropriate flexible obturator is placed inside an appropriate curved guide and the curved guide is then inserted through the cannula and into the joint capsule. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the appropriate guide can be inserted percutaneously into the joint capsule, without the use of a cannula, and may be used with a trocar tip obturator, for example. Once the guide is in place, the obturator is removed from the curved guide. A flexible drill may then be inserted into the joint capsule via the guide. A proximal end of the flexible drill is connected to a standard orthopedic power drill and a pilot hole is drilled in the glenoid rim. The flexible drill is then removed from the guide. A flexible inserter may then be inserted into the joint capsule via the curved guide to insert a suture anchor previously placed thereon into the pilot hole such as a Stryker Corp. 3.5 mm TwinLoop™ suture anchor. The flexible inserter is then removed from the guide. The guide is then removed from the cannula and the cannula removed (or alternatively, the guide is withdrawn from the surrounding tissue if no cannula is used).

The cannula may be included in the apparatus for inserting a suture anchor into an internal anatomical site such as a glenoid. The system may include a cannula for accessing an internal anatomical site and a curved hollow guide for insertion into the cannula. The guide has a proximal end and a distal end. A flexible obturator is insertable through the curved guide from its proximal end to its distal end. A flexible drill is also insertable through the curved guide from the proximal to the distal end. A flexible inserter is provided for inserting a suture anchor into a bore at the anatomical site formed by the flexible drill. The curved hollow guide distal end may have a tip with a pair of parallel edges formed by generally parabolic recesses in an aperture wall of the curved guide distal end. This type of distal end has a contour shaped to engage a scapular glenoid rim of a shoulder. The distal end of the curved hollow guide may also have at least one window extending through a wall thereof so the instruments inserted therein can be viewed. The window is spaced from the distal tip of the curved hollow guide a distance allowing the viewing of a proximal end of a suture anchor located adjacent the tip. The anatomical site may be a glenoid rim. The curved hollow guide may have a bend of 0° to 90°, and more specifically 0° to 25°.

In an alternative embodiment, the system for implanting an anchor into bone may include a cannulated guide comprising a proximal end, a distal end positionable proximate a bone, and a shaft extending between the proximal and distal ends, the shaft having a curved shape, a drill comprising a proximal end configured to receive torque, a rotary drilling head, and a flexible shaft extending between the proximal end and the rotary drilling head. The guide shaft permits passage of the rotary drilling head through the shaft of the cannulated guide. The flexible shaft of the drill comprises a plurality of discrete grooves, each of which extends around the shaft to provide a flexible transitional region, thereby dividing the shaft into a plurality of rigid segments separated by the flexible transitional regions.

In yet another embodiment, the system for implanting an anchor into bone, the system has a cannulated guide comprising a proximal end, a distal end positionable proximate a bone, and a curved shaft extending between the proximal and distal ends, a drill comprising a proximal end configured to receive torque, a distal rotary drilling head and a shaft extending between the proximal end and the rotary drilling head. The shaft comprises a flexible portion and permits passage of the rotary drilling head through the shaft of the cannulated guide. One of the drill and the cannulated guide comprises a stop feature shaped to interface with the other of the drill and the cannulated guide to adjustably control a maximum range of motion of the rotary drilling head through the cannulated guide. The stop feature may be threadably mounted on the drill proximal end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a suture anchor insertion system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a 25° standard orientation curved hollow guide of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a 25° rotated orientation curved hollow guide of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a 12° standard orientation curved hollow guide of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a 12° rotated orientation curved hollow guide of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of a 0° hollow guide of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows one example of a handle which can be used with the guides of FIGS. 2-6;

FIGS. 8-12 show multiple embodiments of the distal tip and aperture areas of the guides of FIGS. 2-6;

FIG. 13 shows one embodiment of a trocar tipped obturator for use with the guides of FIGS. 2-6;

FIG. 14 shows one embodiment of a bullet tipped obturator for use with the guides of FIGS. 2-6;

FIG. 15 shows one embodiment of a flexible drill for use with the guides of FIGS. 2-6;

FIG. 16 shows a further embodiment of a bullet tip for use with the obturator of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 shows a further embodiment of a trocar tip for use with the obturator of FIG. 13;

FIG. 18a shows one embodiment of a suture anchor inserter for use with the guides of FIGS. 2-6;

FIG. 18b shows a cross-sectional view of the inserter of FIG. 18 a;

FIGS. 19 and 21 show multiple embodiments of the tip of the inserter of FIG. 18a with the tip shown in FIG. 21 being rotated 90° with respect to the tip shown in FIG. 19;

FIGS. 20 and 22 show enlarged areas A and B of the tips of FIGS. 19 and 21 respectively;

FIG. 23 shows a first embodiment of the insertion of one of the guides of the present invention into a shoulder joint including an obturator bullet tip for ease of insertion of the guide through a cannula for guiding the guides of the present invention into the joint area.

FIG. 24 shows an enlarged view of the obturator with a bullet tip as shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 shows one of the guides of FIGS. 2-6 with the obturator removed.

FIG. 26 shows a pilot hole drilled in the rim of the glenoid using the drill of FIG. 15 inserted through one of the guides of FIGS. 2-6;

FIG. 27 shows the inserter of FIG. 18a including an exemplary suture anchor for insertion through one of the guides of FIGS. 2-6 into the pilot hole of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 shows yet another embodiment of a suture anchor inserter for use with the guides of FIGS. 2-6; and

FIG. 28a shows one embodiment of a distal end of the suture anchor inserter of FIG. 28.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown one embodiment of an instrumentation system of the present invention generally denoted as 10. The system includes various curved guides having a curved guide shaft with a curved angle of between about 0° and about 90°. Specifically, the curved angle may be about 0° to about 25°, though any other angle is envisioned depending on the application of the guide. The system may consist of, for example, a 25° rotated orientation curved guide 12, a 25° standard orientation curved guide 14, a 12° rotated orientation curved guide 16, a 12° standard orientation curved guide 18, and a 0° (i.e. straight) guide 20. In one example, the rotated orientation guides may be used on the posterior glenoid rim, and the standard orientation guides may be used on the anterior glenoid rim, though this may be reversed if desired. Furthermore, in an alternate example, the rotated orientation guides may be used within the posterior portal, and the standard orientation guides may be used within the anterior portal, or vice versa, depending upon the desires of the user and the surgical application. The 0° guide may be rotated 90° and used on the anterior or posterior glenoid rim. Bullet tip obturator 22 and a trocar tip obturator 24 may also be provided and may be used for insertion through the cannulated opening in each of the guides 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. A flexible drill 26 may further be provided. The drill tip may be capable of drilling, for example, a 3.5 mm pilot hole. Finally a suture anchor inserter 28 may be provided which again has a flexible shaft and is capable of receiving, for example, a 5 mm suture anchor which may either be made of metal or a polymer such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown a first embodiment of the 25° standard orientation curved guide 14 which includes a hollow tubular shaft 29 and handle 30 which is cannulated to allow the passage of the various other instruments of the system therethrough. FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of a 25° rotated orientation curved guide 12 having a shaft 31 also attached to a handle 30. Guides 14 and 12 include a distal end 32, 34 respectively having edges 36, 38 defining an aperture opening to the hollow anterior of each of the curved guide shafts. Distal ends 32, 34 may include windows 42, in any form or shape, such as illustrated as elongated slats, in the walls of the shafts which allow the various instruments extending through the hollow interior of the shafts of the curved guides 12, 14 to be viewed. In one embodiment, a window 42 may be on at least one side of the distal end of each guide.

Likewise FIG. 4 shows a first embodiment of a 12° standard orientation curved guide 18. FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of a 12° rotated orientation curved guide 16. Again, both guides 18 and 16 include shafts 44 and 46 which are tubular in shape and are received within cannulated handles 30. The shafts 44 and 46 are curved at 12° compared to the 25° curve of shafts 29 and 31. By this it is meant that the central axis of the straight part of the shaft adjacent the handle and the central axis at the tip 52, 54 of guides 18 and 16 form an angle of 12°.

Referring to FIG. 6 there is shown guide 20 having a hollow shaft 58 and cannulated handle 30 in which the cannulation through the shaft and the handle are co-axial with the shaft 58 being straight thus having a 0° angle between the shaft part adjacent handle 30 and a distal shaft end 62. While the standard and rotated orientations refer to the relative position of the aperture as to the curve of the shaft, it is understood that the guide 20 could have either orientation because the curve of the shaft is 0 degrees.

Referring to FIG. 7 there is shown one example of the handle 30 of guides 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 which may be ergonomically designed having a helical groove formed for easy gripping. While the helically shaped handle 30 is shown, any handle design may be utilized as long as it has a cannulation adapted to receive the instruments 22, 24, 26 and 28 of system 10.

Referring to FIGS. 8-12, there are shown the various embodiments of the tips of the guides 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. While each tip embodiment is designated to a specific guide, it should be understood that each tip can be used with each guide. The tip 32 of the 25° standard guide 14 is shown in FIG. 10 with the tip 34 of the 25° rotated guide 12 shown in FIG. 8. The 12° standard and rotated guides 18 and 16 are shown in FIGS. 9 and 12 respectively and have distal tips 37 and 35 respectively. The distal tip of the straight or 0° guide 20 is illustrated in FIG. 11. All the guide tips have a “parabolic” shape to, among other reasons, allow better engagement with the rim of the glenoid. The orientation of the “parabolic” with respect to the curved section on curved guides determine whether the orientation is standard or rotated, as is illustrated throughout the Figures. Each of the distal tips may have a laser marking 66 and, in the case of the curved guide, an arrow 68 pointing to the direction of curvature. Obviously the arrow 68 is unnecessary for the straight or 0° guide 20. Laser mark 66 indicates the desired depth of insertion of the instruments passing within the guides, and helps the user in achieving the specified depth of, for example, drilling into the bone or setting of the suture anchor. Each guide has edges 70 and 72 extending between the inner and outer walls of the hollow guide which edge surfaces are generally parabolic in shape. While the edges 70 and 72 form the parabolic shape are shown to be symmetric, they could be non-symmetric if such would better fit the anatomy.

Furthermore, edges 70 and 72 may include specific designs or dimensions depending on the requirements of anatomy or surgical procedure. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 12, the aperture edge 70 or 72 may include a flattened portion 73. The portion 73 may assist in moving the guide through the cannula. This is particularly useful for the 12° guides, as shown, because the curve of the shaft may make it difficult for the parabolic shape to pass through the cannula. This may also be useful for the 25° guides, however, typically the 25° guide will be used without a cannula and will be inserted percutaneously because the curve of the shaft may not fit through a cannula. Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 12, an edge 70 or 72 may include a cut-out 74. Cut-out 74 may further assist the passage of the curved guide through the cannula, while also providing sharpened points which may engage the bone and provide a stable base on which the guide 16 can rest.

Referring to FIG. 13 there is shown one embodiment of an obturator 24 including a trocar tip 80. The obturator may be made of a flexible shaft 82 and a handle portion 84 with an adjustable stop surface 86 which can engage a proximal surface 88 of handle 30 as shown for example in FIG. 7. The shaft 82 may be made from nitinol with trocar tip 80 being made, for example, of titanium. One embodiment of tip 80 is shown enlarged in FIG. 17 and has a bore 90 for receiving nitinol shaft 82 and a sharpened point 92. Referring to FIG. there is shown one embodiment of an obturator shaft 22 including a bullet tip 94 again with handle portion 84 having a stop surface 86. Obturator 22 again may include a nitinol shaft 96 on which bullet tip 94 is mounted. Tip 94 is shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 16 which has a typical bullet shaped point 98 and a bore 100 for receiving shaft 96. Both tips 80 and 94 may be welded to their respective shafts 82 and 96. The outer diameters of tip 80 and 94 are sized to be slidingly received within the hollow bore of guides 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. The tips help prevent damage to the seal on the inner bore of the cannula. Also, trocar tip 80 may be used to cut through tissue in percutaneous applications, while bullet tip 94 may also push aside tissue when moving the guide within the body.

Referring to FIG. 15 there is shown drill 26 which includes a shaft 102 which, in another embodiment, has a proximal solid portion 104 and a flexible portion 106. The flexible portion 106 is made by taking hypodermic metal tubing and forming a laser cut in the metal to a sufficient depth to allow flexing about the cut. The shaft 102 may be substantially cannulated and may include a thickness between an outer surface and an inner surface, such as would be the case with hypodermic metal tubing, for example. The laser cut may extend circumferentially around the outer surface of the hypodermic tubing and may have a wave or sinusoidal shape to enhance flexibility. For example, the laser cuts may merely score the outer surface, or may penetrate deeper into the thickness of the shaft. The flexible portion is then laser welded onto the solid rod of section 104. In a further embodiment, the laser cuts may pass completely through the tubing to form discrete portions of tubing which may be interlocked by the shape of the cuts, for example, like jig-saw puzzle pieces, such that sections 104 and 106 may be a single piece, and the laser cut may then be applied to the tubing at portion 106 to form the flexible portion. At the distal end of the flexible section 106 is a drill bit 108 which may be laser welded at point 109 to flexible portion 106. The drill bit 108 may have a diameter for producing a pilot hole to receive a desired suture anchor such as a 3.5 mm suture anchor. A proximal end 110 of flexible drill 26 includes a drive element 112 which may be inserted into a standard power drill chuck. Proximal end 110 also includes a stop feature for engaging surface 88 of handle 30 to limit the depth of a pilot hole drilled in bone.

Referring to FIGS. 18a -22 there is shown one embodiment of the flexible suture anchor inserter 28 of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 18a there is shown an elevation view of inserter 28 which can be seen in cross-section in FIG. 18b . Inserter 28 has a handle 114 which is cannulated as is the shaft portion 116. Referring to FIGS. 19 and 21, FIG. 19 illustrates one example of the distal end 120 of shaft 116 with FIG. 21 showing shaft 116 rotated 90° with respect to the view shown in FIG. 19. FIGS. 20 and 22 show enlarged views A and B of the distal end 120 including a laser marking 122 and u-shaped recessed areas 124 and 126. As shown in FIG. 22 the tip 120 may also include an axially extending laser marking 130. Marking 130 may show the orientation of the suture anchor attached to tip 120. For example, the vertical marking 130 may show the orientation of a suture eyelet on the suture anchor. Tips 120 including recesses 124, 126, are adapted to receive, for example, a 3.5 mm Stryker TwinLoop™ suture anchor. Of course the tip can be designed to be utilized with any desirable suture anchor. Suture (not shown), which may be attached to the suture anchor, may then be passed up through the cannulated shaft and handle. Alternatively, the suture may be positioned elsewhere relative to the suture anchor and inserter, as is known in the art.

FIGS. 28 and 28A illustrate another embodiment of a flexible suture anchor inserter 128.

Similar to the construction of the flexible drill 26, above, a shaft portion 216 defining a longitudinal axis may include a solid portion 204 and a flexible portion 206. The flexible portion 206 is made using a length of hypodermic metal tubing, or the like, and forming a laser cut in the metal to a sufficient depth to allow flexing about the cut. The shaft 216 may be substantially cannulated and may include a thickness between an outer surface and an inner surface, such as would be the case with hypodermic metal tubing, for example. The laser cut may extend circumferentially around the outer surface of the hypodermic tubing and may have a wave, or sinusoidal shape to enhance flexibility. In this manner, the laser cut may define discrete segments 205 of the flexible portion 206 that interlock with each other. As shown, each of the discrete, interlocking segments 205 may include a base 207 and a series of distal protrusions 208A and a series of proximal protrusions 208B extending from the base. Distal portions 211, 212, 213 of distal protrusions 208A of three adjacent discrete, interlocking segments 205 of the flexible portion 206 are located at the same circumferential position about the longitudinal axis of shaft 216 as illustrated by the broken line 210 (used for illustration purposes only and not forming any part of the structure of flexible portion 206) designating a circumferential position about the longitudinal axis of shaft 216. As shown, distal portions 211, 212, 213 extend a maximum distance from their respective bases 207 that is different than a maximum distance the other of the distal portions 211, 212, 213 extend from their respective bases 207. Similarly, proximal portions of proximal protrusions 208B of three adjacent discrete, interlocking segments 205 of the flexible portion 206 which are located at the same circumferential position about the longitudinal axis of shaft 216 extend a maximum distance from their respective bases 207 that is different than a maximum distance the other of the proximal portions extend from their respective bases 207. The cuts may, in another arrangement, be a single cut which moves along at least a portion of the shaft in a spiral pattern, like a thread on a screw. The laser cuts may be at any depth relative to the thickness of the shaft, such as, for example, cuts which merely score the outer surface, or cuts which may penetrate deeper into the thickness of the shaft. The flexible portion is then laser welded onto the solid rod of section 204. In a further embodiment, the laser cuts may pass completely through the tubing to form discrete portions of tubing which may be interlocked by the shape of the cuts, for example, like jig-saw puzzle pieces, such that sections 204 and 206 may be a single piece, and the laser cut may then be applied to the tubing at portion 206 to form the flexible portion. The cuts may be in a circumferential pattern, in a spiral pattern, or the like. At the distal end of the flexible section 206 is a tip 220, which may be laser welded at point 209 to flexible portion 206. Alternatively, tip 220 may be a unitary piece, along with portions 204 and 206, and is later machined as needed to accommodate a suture anchor. This interlocking flexible portion 206 may provide even stronger resistance to buckling when, for example, pressing the suture anchor into the pilot hole.

The method of using the system 10 will now be explained. Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24 there is shown a schematic of the bones in the shoulder which include a clavicle 300, a coracoid process 302 and a proximal humerus 304. A head 307 of the proximal humerus 304 engages a glenoid 306. One guide chosen from guides 16, 18 and 20 may be placed in a cannula 310 such that a tip 312 of the guide is located adjacent the glenoid 306. Guides 12 and 14 may also be used in this method, but due to the 25° curvature, a cannula may not be used and percutaneous entry may be used instead (though of course the use of a cannula capable of handling the 25° curved angle may allow these guides to be used with a cannula). Likewise, any of guides 16, 18 and 20 may also be used percutaneously, without a cannula. An obturator 22 having a bullet shaped tip is shown in this method. Obturator 24 can be used if a trocar tip 80 is required, especially for percutaneous entry. The cannula which may be used with this method may be any cannula known in the art suitable for use with the guides of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 24 there is an enlarged view of the distal tip 312 of guide 308 with the bullet tip 94 of the obturator 22 extending beyond the edges 322 of tip 312. As shown in FIG. 25 after the tip 312 of guide 308 is properly located adjacent the glenoid 306, the obturator 22 is removed with the guide 308 positioned as shown in FIG. 25. Using the laser marked arrows 68 which may be pointed towards the curved section of the guide therefore allows the surgeon to orient the bend in a manner to place the parabolic shaped edge 322 of the distal tip portion 312 on the glenoid rim 306 at an appropriate location to perform the repair. The flexible drill 26 is then inserted through guide 308 and a pilot hole 324 is drilled in the glenoid rim 306 as shown in FIG. 26. The drill tip 108 is visible in windows 42 of tip 312 prior to drilling the hole 324. The flexible drill 26 is then removed from the cannulated bore in drill guide 308.

Referring to FIG. 27, a suture anchor 330 is then placed on the tip 120 of an inserter 28 which again is placed through the cannulation of handle 30 and through the guide 308 into pilot hole 324 in the glenoid rim 306. Again the suture anchor would be visible in window 42 of tip 312, and laser markings 66, 122 and 130 may be used to orient the suture anchor to a proper depth into the bone and proper radial alignment (i.e., rotational alignment of suture eyelets) dependent upon a particular application. After the suture anchor is firmly in position on rim 306 the inserter 28 is removed from guide 308. Additional suture anchors may be implanted in the rim as desired. After the installation of suture anchors is complete the guide 308 and the cannula 310 are removed.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. An instrument for insertion of an implant comprising a shaft defining a longitudinal axis, the shaft having a distal tip and a flexible portion proximal to the distal tip, wherein the flexible portion includes a series of discrete, interlocking segments along the longitudinal axis, each of the discrete, interlocking segments having a base and a series of identically shaped protrusions extending therefrom around the longitudinal axis, a first portion of a first protrusion of the series of protrusions of each of at least three of the discrete, interlocking segments being at a first circumferential position about the longitudinal axis, each of the first portions extending a maximum distance in a first direction from the respective base of the discrete, interlocking segments that is different than a maximum distance the others of the first portions of the first protrusions of the at least three discrete, interlocking segments extend in the first direction from their respective bases.
 2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the discrete, interlocking segments are constructed from a solid, continuous length of material by a plurality of cuts.
 3. The instrument of claim 2, wherein the plurality of cuts extend completely through the thickness of the shaft of the instrument.
 4. The instrument of claim 3, wherein the plurality of cuts are laser cuts shaped like jig saw puzzle pieces such that adjacent discrete, interlocking segments interlock with one another.
 5. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the shaft of the instrument is constructed from a material comprising hypodermic tubing, polymer, or stainless steel.
 6. A system comprising: an implant; and the instrument of claim 1, wherein the instrument further includes a proximal handle, and the instrument is cannulated from the distal tip through the proximal handle such that suture, secured to the implant, extends through the cannulation from the implant and through the proximal handle.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the distal tip of the shaft includes at least three prongs extending distally to define recessed areas for insertion of the implant therein.
 8. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the distal tip includes prongs defining at least one recessed area having a u-shaped profile when viewed in at least one orientation perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the instrument.
 9. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the distal tip includes at least three circumferentially spaced-apart prongs, the prongs defining recessed areas for insertion of the implant therein.
 10. A system for insertion of an implant comprising: the instrument of claim 1; and an implant received in the distal tip.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the distal tip of the shaft includes at least three prongs extending distally to define recessed areas for insertion of the implant therein.
 12. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the distal tip of the shaft includes at least three prongs extending distally to define recessed areas for insertion of the implant therein.
 13. The instrument of claim 6, wherein the implant is a suture anchor, and wherein the flexible portion has a strength sufficient to insert the implant in the hole in bone.
 14. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least three discrete, interlocking segments having the first portions of the first protrusions of the series of protrusions are adjacent to each other.
 15. An instrument for insertion of an implant in a hole in bone, comprising: a distal tip; a proximal handle; and a shaft extending between the distal tip and the proximal handle and having a flexible portion, wherein the flexible portion includes a series of discrete, interlocking segments along a longitudinal axis of the flexible portion, each of the discrete, interlocking segments having a base and a series of identically shaped protrusions extending therefrom around the longitudinal axis, a first portion of a first protrusion of the series of protrusions of each of at least three of the discrete, interlocking segments being at a first circumferential position about the longitudinal axis, each of the first portions extending a maximum distance in a first direction from the respective base of the discrete, interlocking segments that is different than a maximum distance the others of the first portions of the first protrusions of the at least three discrete, interlocking segments extend in the first direction from their respective bases, and wherein the distal tip includes at least three prongs extending distally, the prongs defining recessed areas for insertion of the implant therein.
 16. The instrument of claim 15, wherein the shaft also has a solid portion laser welded to the flexible portion.
 17. The instrument of claim 15, wherein the implant is a suture anchor, and wherein the flexible portion has a strength sufficient to insert the suture anchor in the hole in bone.
 18. The instrument of claim 15, wherein the discrete, interlocking segments and the distal tip are constructed from a solid, continuous length of material, at least the discrete, interlocking segments being constructed by a plurality of cuts extending completely through the thickness of the shaft of the instrument in the form of jig saw puzzle pieces such that adjacent discrete, interlocking segments interlock with one another.
 19. The instrument of claim 15, wherein the at least one of the recessed areas has a u-shaped profile when viewed in at least one orientation perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the instrument.
 20. A system for insertion of an implant comprising: the instrument of claim 15; and an implant received in the recessed areas.
 21. The instrument of claim 15, wherein the at least three discrete, interlocking segments having the first portions of the first protrusions of the series of protrusions are adjacent to each other. 